Spacecraft RF Engineer (Early)

jobs.frontdoordefense.com - Jobboard; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Best-in-class healthcare

401(k) plan with matching

Daily catered lunch

8 weeks paid parental leave

Job summary

Apex Technology, Inc. located in Los Angeles is seeking a seasoned Spacecraft RF Engineer to lead innovative RF hardware and software design for satellite communication. You will work closely with an integrated team to drive design, perform analyses, and push technological boundaries in the aerospace field.

We're a fast-growing startup offering a competitive salary range of $105,000 - $135,000 per year, alongside excellent benefits including 100% company-paid healthcare and generous PTO.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of spacecraft RF and telemetry communications experience.
• Extensive experience in spacecraft design, launch, and operation.
• Experience across multiple spacecraft programs.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop RF, digital, and optical satellite communications systems.
• Define and verify space communication system requirements.
• Perform hardware procurement and integration.

Skills

Spacecraft RF communications

Telemetry communications

MATLAB

Aerospace engineering

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Object-oriented software platforms

Satellite communications systems

Job description

Spacecraft RF Engineer (early)

Drive innovative RF hardware and software design to meet telemetry requirements for satellite buses

Location: Los Angeles

Compensation: $105,000 - 135,000 USD / year

Job Tags: Hardware

About The Role

Seasoned Spacecraft RF Engineer

Spacecraft represent the most pressing unmet need across the entire aerospace industry. As more launch vehicles come online and the cost to orbit decreases, more companies launching payloads to space continue to emerge. Apex manufactures these satellite buses at scale using a combination of software, vertical integration, and hardware that is designed for manufacturing. Our spacecraft enable the future of society: ranging from earth observation to communications and more. We'd love for you to join us on our mission of providing humankind access to the galaxy beyond our planet.

About the Role

We are seeking a seasoned spacecraft RF engineer to work on a closely integrated team who will drive the design of hardware and software to meet the telemetry requirements of our bus. You will have an opportunity to approach this from a clean sheet design and inform coupled trades across the vehicle architecture. You will be innovative in your approach to push the limits of design and performance, while disrupting and making an impact on the industry. This role reports directly into the Director of Spacecraft.

Responsibilities:

• Design and develop RF, digital, and optical satellite communications systems and spacecraft architectures
• Define and verify space communication system requirements and interfaces
• Drive requirements for subcomponents and drive supplier down selection
• Perform analyses and simulations for space communication systems
• Develop analysis tools using MATLAB and object-oriented software platforms
• Develop and verify system algorithms that meet functional and performance requirements
• Perform hardware procurement, integration, design reviews, and verification
• Work closely with other engineers to achieve overall system requirements
• Work with payload customers to accommodate payload requirements

Requirements:

• U.S. Person status is required as this position needs to access export controlled data
• 1-3 years of spacecraft RF and Telemetry communications experience
• Experience across multiple spacecraft programs
• Bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering or a related field. Master's degree preferred but not required
• Possess excellent interpersonal skills, able to work effectively within an organization and convey decisions, direction, and conclusions in a manner meaningful to multiple audiences
• Extensive experience in spacecraft design, launch, and operation, including experience at all phases of the development lifecycle
• Experience in integrated software/hardware verification and testing

Salary Range: $105,000 - $135,000 a year

Why Join Apex?

Apex believes in creating a work environment that you look forward to embracing every day. Our employees love working at Apex, and we want you to love it too. We're a fast-growing startup backed by $200M in Series C funding, and we invest heavily in our people from day one.

What We Offer:

• Shared upside: Receive equity in Apex, letting you benefit from the work you create
• Best-in-class healthcare: 100% company-paid medical, dental, and vision for you and your dependents, plus $100k life insurance at no cost
• Comprehensive PTO package: To reset and recharge - starting at 15 days vacation, growing to 20+ days annually, plus 10 paid holidays
• Competitive 401(k) plan: With generous matching - 100% match on first 3%, 50% on next 2%
• 8 weeks paid parental leave: Plus childcare reimbursement up to $350/day for work-related travel
• Daily catered lunch and unlimited snacks: To keep you fueled throughout the day
• Vibrant community: Monthly office BBQs, pickleball tournaments, run club, and social gatherings for you and your family
• Your dream desk setup: And all the tools you need to be your most productive self
• World-class Playa Vista office: With EV chargers, with the benefit of in-person collaboration with amazing coworkers and flexibility to integrate work and life
• Real impact opportunity: Work alongside experts from aerospace, new space, and other cutting‑edge industries to make a lasting difference

Equal Opportunity Employer

Apex Technology, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Candidates and employees are always evaluated based on merit, qualifications, and performance. We will never discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status.